§ 6. Mr. Popplewellasked the Secretary of State for War when his Department will derequisition the Fenham Militia Camp, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and return the land to its original use as part of the Town Moor.
§ 7. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for War when he will reopen the public footpath across the portion of the Town Moor at present used for the Fenham Militia Camp.
§ Mr. HeadThis camp is used as a Territorial Army training centre. Every effort is being made to re-accommodate the various units which use the centre so that the camp can be derequisitioned, but I cannot forecast how soon this will be possible. I regret that, so long as the camp is still in use, the footpath cannot be re-opened.
§ Mr. PopplewellIs the Secretary of State aware that this camp was first occupied in 1939 and not requisitioned until 1943, that the local authority were informed that the requisitioning powers would end in December, 1952, and it was not until April of this year that they were informed that the requisitioning would continue? Is the Secretary of State aware that there are various statutes governing this land which preserve the land for public use for all time? As it is so long after the end of the war, will the right 1875 hon. Gentleman use all his influence to end this requisitioning at the earliest possible date?
§ Mr. HeadI am aware that this is a very complicated problem and I should like to move in the matter. We are now discussing this matter with the local planning authorities to try to find alternative sites. We do not want to stay there, but it is a difficult area in which to find alternative sites.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is considerable difficulty put on the local population in regard to footpaths? Could he consider the possibility of re-opening the footpath, even if he cannot yet make the land itself available?
§ Mr. HeadI am informed that the footpath goes right through the huts, which would make it very difficult to do that.